Echoes Beneath.

CHAPTER 4.

DAMIEN.

I stared at the ceiling of my office, a rare peace settling over me after today’s meeting.

Earlier in the day, I’d sat across from a table of foreign investors.

Men who usually circled like hawks over dividends and percentages were, for once, willing to

take up particular shares in the company without demanding their pound of flesh in return.

They saw value, they saw vision, and they wanted in.

I released a heavy sigh of relief.

For the first time in weeks, I felt I hadn’t failed my late father.

He had bled sweat and time to build this legacy, and I swore on everything within me that I

would uphold it until my last strength gave out.

As I was his only heir.

“Mr. Blackwell,

” my secretary’s shy voice came from the doorway.

I glanced up briefly.

She was petite, barely five feet tall, slender, but with a boldness that often startled people.

Including me, sometimes.

My mother once tried to link us together, during the last year’s annual worker’s party, thinking

her delicate figure and soft-spoken charm would change my mind.

But I had turned her down, like I turned down every attempt.

Deep down, I knew I wasn’t cut out for that sort of life.

The only thing my mother wanted was an heir, and I had promised myself she would get one

by any means necessary.

But what I would not do; what I could never do, was nurture a romantic relationship.

“Yes?” I answered, my eyes fixed on the glow of my MacBook.

I still had to finalize things with my account manager before shutting down for the night.

“Mr. Hale is here to see you,

” she said carefully, smoothing her skirt with trembling hands.

She was nervous. And I knew why.

“Let him in,

” I said, my tone harder than I intended.Her head snapped up in surprise.

She had expected me to turn him away, to invent some excuse.

But not today.

Today, I was bound to take the bull by the horns, even if that means dining with the devil, but

with a long spoon.

She left without shutting the door.

I didn’t bother correcting her; instead, I allowed myself a moment to follow the sway of her

hips as she walked away.

It was almost as if it was an intentional move.

Laughter rumbled from within my chest.

She knew that we could never work out.

I could only imagine what her daydream looked like, getting involved with the town’s

billionaire.

I quickly shut out those thoughts, they were unwelcoming.

A loud knock rattled the frame of my office, threatening to render my ear canals useless .

I looked up quickly from my desk and I was greeted by the Nathan Hale.

sickeningly smug smile of

In that instant, I wondered if I had just made the wrong decision by letting him in.

“How may I help you, Nathan?” I asked cautiously, adjusting in my chair, my hand inching

toward the cabinet where my little friends—cold steel and polished—waited, just in case

things went south.

“No need to fret, my long-time friend,

” Nathan started, sensing my unease.

His smirk widened.

“I’m only here to deliver pleasantries.

”

Pleasantries? I thought to myself, as if the devil had time for pleasantries.

“Well, make it quick. I’m a busy man.

”

“I can see that. Daddy’s boy,

” he mumbled under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear.

The words cut sharper than a blade.

My jaw tightened, my gaze fixed past him.Nathan knew exactly where to dig. He always had. But this time, I refused to allow him the

upper hand.

We had once been close, brothers,as some may mistake us for. But when our fathers

clashed, their quarrel spilled into us like poisoned Ivy.

Their fight divided the family business, burned bridges, and Nathan… Nathan inherited his

father’s bitterness like it was a gold mine to be cherished.

“A little birdie told me you met with the China investors today,

” he said, his grin turning

venomous.

“Daddy’s little boy is growing up.

” He clapped mockingly, laughter spilling from

his lips.

I could see it, the pain in his eyes. The envy.

Just by the way he looked at me.

He was terrified of the day I’d surpass him, yet his pride kept him from ever admitting it.

And of course, I’ll always take advantage of that.

“Well, I’m glad you heard,

” I said coolly.

“If that’s all you came for, I’ll be on my way.

Unlike you, I have pressing matters at hand to attend to.

”

I rose from my desk.

“Where is Daddy’s boy rushing to now?” Nathan sneered bitterly.

“Got yourself a little

girlfriend?”

The words froze me in place.

My head snapped up, eyes narrowing to meet his own.

“What did you say?” My voice was low, dangerous, venomous.

He smirked wider.

Knowing Nathan, it was probably a bluff, but the timing, too perfect, too sharp, in that it set

my nerves on edge.

“Calm down, big boy. Daddy isn’t here to hold you,

” he teased.

I clenched my fists, forcing air into my lungs, trying—failing, to ignore him.

Nathan knew I had a hard time managing my anger.

I had been moved from three different high schools, because of this same reason.

“Sir, the car is ready,

” Seth’s voice cut in, sharp and professional, as he burst into the room.Relief.

“Thank you,

” I muttered, gathering the last of my papers.

Seth was one of the children of the workers, my father had in his prime.

We grew up together, and after college, Seth decided to prove his loyalty by sticking around.

Hence after being with each other for years, I decided to make him my head of security.

He was someone I could easily rely on.

He has proven himself trustworthy many times.

“Seth,

” I said, turning to him with a clipped tone,

premises. I want him out before I step foot outside.

”

“see to it that Nathan is escorted off the

“Yes, sir.

” Seth didn’t hesitate, already signaling for security backup.

Nathan chuckled, unfazed.

“Enjoy your night, Damien.

”

I brushed past them, ignoring the burn of his envious gaze on my back.

Outside, anger simmered beneath my skin. Why did Nathan always manage to dig into me?

Why did his words linger like splinters in my skin?

He was a thorn I couldn’t pull out, no matter how deep it cut.

I just had to learn to live with it, no matter how uncomfortable it seemed to be.

That I had been doing effortlessly, until today.

“Sir, your briefcase,

” Alex, my driver, said, hurriedly trying to take it from me.

At the same time, reaching for the car door.

“Never mind, Alex,

” I snapped, though not at him.

firmly, my tone relaxing a bit at him.

“I’ll be driving myself tonight.

” I stated

He wisely said nothing.

Quickly scrambling past me into the reception.

They all knew me well enough.

Whenever I’m in this state, even my mother couldn’t argue with anything I said or did.

I slid into my Audi, the leather seat groaning beneath me, as I carefully pulled a cold bottle of

Gordon’s from the glove compartment, taking heed not to spill in the car.

I needed something to get me through the night.I couldn’t do it on my own.

If not, I’ll end up loosing control.

Hence, I didn’t think logically, and did the only thing that came to mind.

One hand on the wheel, one hand tipping the liquor to my lips, I knew it was reckless.

But I needed something to drown the storm from my mind.

I didn’t realise I was going over the speed limits, as more cars seemed to go slower.

The streets blurred past.

Neon lights streaked into smears.

I didn’t realize how fast I was going until the library gates flashed by my window.

Too late.

The tires screamed against the asphalt as something—someone—hit the front of the car.

The bottle slipped from my hand. My heart stopped.

Then—

A sharp, piercing shriek cut through the night.

“ARIA!”

The name echoed like a curse, pulling me back into a reality I wasn’t ready to face.